|
|
|
|
| Type: |
M5A1 Stuart Light Tank |
Armament: |
37mm |
| Built: |
February 2002 |
Armor: |
63mm |
| Builder: |
Will Montgomery |
Rating: |
30/3 |
| Status: |
Under Construction |
Battles: |
0 |
| Owner: |
Will Montgomery |
Points Earned: |
0 |
| Call Sign: |
??? |
Points Given: |
0 |
| Notes: |
| |
Bought at a big discount from a toy-store because a couple of parts were missing!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (115 Kb) |
|
|
|
Modelers are always looking for a great deal on something that can be
used to save time and Will Montgomery found a great deal on this plastic
tank built for the new breed of GI-Joes. The tank is built in 1/6 scale
plastic and has a nice rubber track. For the small amount of money spent,
the model has more than enough detail and a reasonable structure that can
be beefed up as needed. It might not be the most durable tank in the
long-run, but it will certainly taste a view battles before it is used
for target practice.
|
|
|
|
|
As shown here, the drive wheels
are in the process of being reinforced with metal hubs inside and out,
secured by three bolts that go completely through the wheels. A 1/2 steel
shaft connects the wheels to two drive 6-12 volt motors. The plastic
wheels are reasonably sturdy, although it's hard to tell how they'll hold
up on rough terrain. If one of them breaks, the other will be used to
make molded replacements out of something more durable, like epoxy and
kevlar pulp, or will be traced onto metal plates for cutting.
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (352 Kb) |
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (120 Kb) |
|
|
|
The Stuart is driven by a pair of relatively inexpensive 6-12 volt
geared motors acquired from a surplus catalog. The motors produce about
200 RPMs driving a slotted 1/2 shaft. The shafts ride on bearings mounted
in the center of the hull and on bronze bushings through the hull sides.
Will sandwiched the sides and bottom of the plastic motor compartment
with aluminum plates, secured with rivets, to ensure that the motors
have something strong supporting them. Additional bracing can be added
in the future as needed.
|
|
|
|
|
This photo was taken from underneath the turret looking up to see
how a 40 cal blowgun assembly can be mounted in the Stuart. The blowgun
mechanism is inexpensive, quite compact and can be modified to operate
under remote control. The blue tube is the blowgun barrel, which fits
nicely inside of a copper pipe 'T' assembly which is used to elevate
the gun. An aluminium lever arm is mounted to the 'T' assembly to allow
the elevate servo to do its job.
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (362 Kb) |
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (113 Kb) |
|
|
|
The 40 cal blowgun has a revolver style selector mechanism that allows
a simple flat magazine to be used, while still only firing one paintball
at a time. In normal operation, the rotary selector is advanced by pressing
a button with your thumb. Under remote control, the button is pressed
by a servo to load a paintball and another servo is used to activate
the CO2 valve to fire the paintball.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
